Robert Alavi D.D.S.
1420 Guerneville Rd #2 Santa Rosa CA 95403
WHITE FILLINGS
WHITE FILLINGS
Composite and silver amalgam fillings are the most widely used filling materials. Composite fillings require less tooth structure removal than silver fillings. Composite fillings also bond to the tooth structure thereby strengthening the tooth where as silver fillings do not have this bonding ability. Silver fillings also contain mercury which has environmental and health concerns. Therefore, Dr. Alavi offers only composite fillings. Composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. They are excellent for the front teeth and the more visible areas of the mouth.
A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by a small decay. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed and filled with a composite filling.
Dr. Alavi sculpts the chewing surface of your tooth to fit your bite to the accuracy of 0.0005 of an inch. Consequently, fillings feel like the rest of your natural teeth, and you don't experience sensitivity or pain after restorations are done.
INLAYS and ONLAYS
Inlays:
When cavities or tooth defects are big, inlays are placed in a tooth instead of a large filling. They are an indirect restoration fabricated by a dental lab and cemented in another on a second appointment. The bite, contours, and fit of an inlay can be made more precisely than a filling for a longer lasting restoration. Inlays can be made of gold or porcelain
Onlays:
Onlays can be thought of as partial coverage crowns. They take two appointments to complete since they are an indirect restoration made by a dental lab. It is done when a cusp is fractured or the remaining tooth structure is too weak to withstand biting forces. An onlay covers over biting surfaces and extends over cusps but not the whole tooth. An onlay is a more conservative treatment than a crown. Hence, a lot less tooth structure needs to be removed with an onlay as compared to a crown.
The gold onlay is the best because it wears like a natural tooth, not damaging the opposing tooth and can last a long time. The porcelain onlay looks more natural, but it is more prone to fracture and can cause premature wear of the opposing tooth. However, when cosmetic natural locking teeth are desired porcelain inlays and onlays are an excellent choice.
Crowns and Bridges
Crown:
Crowns are restorations that cap or encircles the entire tooth. It takes two appointments to complete a crown.
A crown is placed when there is extensive tooth loss due to decay or a fracture. In most cases, a crown is also indicated for teeth that have had root canal treatment.
Crowns can be made of several different materials. A gold crown is preferred over a porcelain crowns for the very back teeth since the back teeth receive a lot of force and gold crowns do not fracture like porcelain, and it wears like a natural tooth against opposing teeth. However, if cosmetics is a big concern porcelain crowns can be places for back teeth.
Bridges:
A fixed bridge is perpanently bonded to your teeth. A bridge needs to have two anchor teeth (abutments) one on either side of a space due to a missing tooth or missing teeth. Artificial teeth (pontics) connect the two anchor teeth together filling in the space forming a bridge.
The fixed bridge supports and maintains the integrity of the mouth in addition to improving chewing and aesthetics. When you lose one or more teeth, the remaining teeth can shift and affect your ability to chew and speak properly. Fixed bridges when placed properly are highly durable and will last many years.
There are several types of bridges: gold, all porcelain or porcelain fused to gold. Dr. Alavi will discuss the best options for your particular case.
You may be a candidate for a fixed bridge if you have or want any of the following:
- Missing teeth
- Collapsed face because of missing teeth
- Prevent the remaining teeth from drifting out of position
- Improve chewing and speaking ability
- Restore your smile
- Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a fixed one
DENTURES
There are three types of dentures – complete, partial and overdenture. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some of the teeth are missing. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting. An overdenture is similar to a complete denture but is supported by a few remaining teeth or implants under the denture. Since they are supported by teeth or implants, overdentures can exert a much greater chewing force and are more stable than complete dentures.
Immediate Dentures
An immediate denture is made in advance and placed the same day the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Immediate dentures are adjusted and relined internally until the tissue and bone heal and stabilize. Approximately one year after the extractions an immediate denture will require a hard internal reline, or a new set of dentures may need to be made.
Cosmetic Dentures
When denture teeth are worn, poorly arranged, too short, or improperly related to the opposing arch, the dentures will be unattractive and uncomfortable.
Many times dentures have a poor cosmetic appearance because they are too short. If the hight of the dentures is not long enough when the mouth is closed, it will not provide adequate support for the lips and face. As a result, corners of lips will develop creases, and the face will appear sunken. Permanent dentures are best made with porcelain teeth since they resist wear. Plastic denture teeth easily wear down losing their length and effecting their function and the facial profile.
Implant Dentures
Implants can be used to support both partial and complete dentures. Dentures can become a lot more secure and stable with the support of implants. Many foods that you have stopped eating because of denture slippage can be back on the menu. Implant supported complete dentures can be fixed or removable.
Benefits of Implant-supported Dentures:
Comfort, Security, Improved Aesthetics, Confidence, Convenience, Improved Taste with no palatal coverage, Improved Speach.
Dr. Alavi makes dentures that are beautiful, natural, and easy to eat with. Dr. Alavi uses porcelain teeth for dentures that look more natural than plastic teeth. Porcelain teeth also cut through food easier and last longer. The proper hight of your dentures will greatly improve their appearance by giving adequate support to your face, and the dentures will feel great too.
IMPLANTS
Implants are used to replace missing teeth or help support dentures. It is placed surgically in the jaw bone, and once the implant becomes secure in the bone a restoration such as a crown can be attached to it.
Dental implants consist of three components:
- Implant fixture - an artificial root(titanium dental implant)that is surgically placed and integrates with the jaw bone.
- Implant abutment – a structure that is connected to the implant fixture via a screw.
- Implant restoration - a crown that replace the missing tooth, cemented over the implant abutment.
Dr. Alavi works closely with an oral surgeon or periodontist for the placement of the implant fixture. Once the implant fixture has stablized by integration with the surrounding bone, Dr. Alavi will finish the implant with a restoration such as a crown.
The Benefits of Dental Implant:
- Bone presercation
- Natural look and feel
- Unafffected adjacent teeth
- improved quality
The most important aspect of an implant is proper diagnosis and treatment planning.
Dr. Alavi does not diagnos by merely looking into your mouth as you may have experienced elsewhere. A simple visual exam does not give a clear view of your entire mouth in action in three dimensions! Instead, Dr. Alavi takes molds (impressions) of your teeth, takes measurements of your jaw joint positions and jaw angulation, and records a precise relationship of your upper teeth to lower teeth. He transfers your jaw relationships to an articulator which duplicates your bite and jaw movements. Dr. Alavi then evaluates your mouth with the aid of this articulator that now moves like your mouth.
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
A root canal therapy is designed to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed,infected,or has an inflamed nerve tissue due to trauma. The nerve and blood vessiles inside a tooth are removed and then sealed to stop the toothache and prevent an infection. Many root canal therapies can be avoided by applying modern dental techniques to reduce traumatic biting forces that if left untreated with time can lead to nerve inflammation and pain requiring root canal therapy.
Before endodontic treatment is considered, the integrity of the tooth in question should be closely evaluated. All recently placed restorations should be closely examined. Poorly placed restorations or restorations with a high bite can have symptoms that mimic a tooth with an inflamed nerve needing a root canal.
Dr. Alavi recommends root canal therapy only for those teeth that are truly effected with a diseased nerve. He may refer some root canal treatments to an endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the nerve (dental pulp) of the tooth.
EXTRACTION
Dr. Alavi believes in saving teeth whenever possible. However, there are times when teeth need to be extracted due to large cavaties, deep tooth fractures, advanced bone loss, crowding, or impaction. Non-restorable teeth should be extracted to prevent further complications such as dental infections and toothaches. Before an extraction, Dr. Alavi will advise you of the different options available for restoring the area such an implant or a bridge.
PERIODONTAL (GUM) TREATMENT
Dr. Alavi will recommend the appropriate gum treatment after evaluating your gums, teeth and bite. Periodontal or gum disease is a silent, chronic bacterial infection around the gum and bone that yor support teeth.
Periodontal disease progresses as the space (pocket or sulcus) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar causing irritation and inflammation to the surrounding tissues. The initial stage of gum disease is called gingivitis but if left untreated will lead to periodontitis.
What is gingivitis and how is it treated?
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums caused by irritants, such as bacteria, plaque, and tartar around teeth. Dr. Alavi’s well trained hygienist can gently remove the irritants with special instruments called scalers. Followed by proper oral hygiene, regular check-ups and professional cleanings, and a healthy diet, we can eliminate gingivitis and maintain healthy gums for life.
What is periodontitis and how is it treated?
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis involves loss of bone and gum attachment around teeth. This will cause deep pockets between teeth and gums. The dentist or hygientis will measure these pockets using a probe. The treatment of periodontitis is more involved. The hygienist must perform scaling and root planning under local anesthesia. The hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line to the base of the pockets and smoothen any rough spots on root surfaces. After deep cleaning therapy, the gum tissue will be re-examined to evaluate the improvement in gum health and see what future treatments are needed to maintain periodontal health.